Gas generator for liquid sprayers

ABSTRACT

A source of regulated gas pressure is directed within a liquid sprayer tank provided by a small gas generator package adjacent the tank which, upon ignition, dissipates its energy into a hog gas plenum and thence into the tank, thereby providing sufficient pressure, upon demand, to expel liquid therefrom.

United States Patent [191 [111 3,708,089

[54], GAS GENERATOR FOR LIQUID [56] References Cited SPRAYERS UNITEDSTATES PATENTS [75] Inventors: Ronald W. Holder, Bryan; Virgil D. 3 243085 3,19 Wilson 222/396 Fergusm McGregor 2,925,942 2/1960 SchmidtQQQLLII. .I IIZ EZBSQ x [73] Assignee: North American Rockwell Corporg-3,437,245 4/1969 Hebert et al ..222/389 tion Primary Examiner-StzinleyH. Tol'lberg [22] filed 1971 Attorney--L. Lee Humphries et al. [211App]. No.: 105,196 [57] ABSTRACT [52] US. Cl. ..222/396 A source ofregulated g pressure is directed i h a I [51] Int. Cl. ..B65d 83/00liquid sprayer tank provided by a small gas generator [58] Field ofSearch .(222/389, 396, 399, 3, 5', 190; p g adjacent the tank h pignition,

sipates its energy into a hog gas plenum and thence into the tank,thereby providing sufficient pressure,

upon demand, to expel liquid therefrom.

9 clai gj'r ur n Figures PATENTED 2|973 3,708,089

sum 1 0F 2 V INVENTORS. RONALD W. HOLDER V/RG/L 0. FERGUSON flow Y WM ATTOHNE Y BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A number of liquid dispensingandgas pressurizing devices are shown in the prior art. A need existsfor a safe, reliable and easily operable source of pressure to dispenseliquid compositions from a sprayer tank, particularly in agriculturalareas where these devices are widely used.

The device covered by US. Pat. No. 3,404,810 utilizes a small solidpropellant charge to explosively drive a piston down a container wall,thereby quickly expelling a powder or liquid from the tank.

US. Pat. No. 3,252,622 discloses a liquid dispensing apparatus whichessentially uses a charge of C0, for a high pressure gas source that isregulated into the interior of a low pressure chamber, the low pressuregas beirtlg subsequently used to expel the liquid from the tan U.S. Pat.No. 3,325,053 is another liquid dispensing device which utilizes aregulated C charge to pressurize the liquid contained within a tank.

A disadvantage of the first mentioned powder dispensing device is thelack of control of the energy upon detonation of the solid propellantcharge.

The CO: liquid dispensers just described are disadvantaged by therelatively low volume of liquid they are capable of discharging. Inaddition, the cartridges have a tendency to clog the feed lines to theattending pressure regulators when the CO, cartridges are punctured.

Accordingly, it is an object of this inventionto utilize a solidpropellant cartridge to provide a regulated source of pressure within aliquid-containing tank.

More specifically, it is an object of this invention to provide a gasgenerator device utilizing a solid propellant charge which will providesufficient gas pressure to dispel a relatively large quantity of liquidover a fairly long period of time. The solid propellant charge, being inthe form of a shotgun shell cartridge, is replaceable within a breechassembly after its energy is expended.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A solidpropellant gas generator in the form ofa shotgun shell is utilized to provide sufficient regulated gas pressureto expel liquid from a tank. The shell consists of a percussion primercap, abooster charge adjacent the primer cap, and a solid propellantcharge in juxtaposition to thebooster charge. The solidpropellant chargeis encapsulated in a plastic or paper cartridge case in muchthesame'manner as a shotgun shell is configured. The cartridge is theninsertable into a breech assembly, the breech being closable by a capwhich contains a firing mechanism. The breech assembly can, for example,include a nozzle or injector assembly at the bottom end of the breech,the whole assembly being, for example, mounted within ahigh pressureplenum chamber housing. The plenum chamber may then be mountable withina larger liquid container having a liquid dispensing nozzle attachedthereto.

When a cartridge case is inserted within the breech assembly and the capor closure means is secured over the end of the cartridge case, thesprayer is ready for operation. Upon actuation of the firing mechanism,a solid propellant chargegenerates agas under high pressure that isdirected into the interior of a high pressure plenum chamber. The gasunder high pressure is accumulated in the plenum chamber and issubsequently metered through a regulator or valve, thus providing aconstant pressure source to the interior of the liquidcontaining tank toexpel a liquid. therefrom upon demand. A constant pressure in the rangeof 20-25 lbs psi is desirable to provide enough pressure to spray liquidfrom the tank. The solid propellant charge is-con- I figured to maintaina pressure within the plenum chamber of between 350 to 400 psig afterthe generated gas has cooled to 40 F, thus providing sufficient pressurewithin the chamber to provide approximately 20 psi of regulated pressurewithin ullage space of the liquid-containing tank, for example todispense approximately 3 gallons of liquid.

An advantage over the prior art is realized in that an and simplicity ofoperation of the replaceable cartridge within the sprayer unit.

DESCRIPTION OF'THE DRAWINGS The above noted objects and furtheradvantages of the present invention will be more fully understood uponthe study of the following detailed description in conjunction with thedetailed drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic .view of the overall device;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the overall device showing a partialcutaway of the interior components of the device;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the breech as sembly within theplenum chamber, including the cartridge, closure cap, and firingmechanism; I

FIG. 4 is a view along lines 4--4 of FIG. 3, illustrating the injectorface forming gas injection holes therein;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the presentinvention utilizing an injector plate as an integralpart of thecartridge case;

. FIG. 6 is still another embodiment of the presentinvention utilizing afixed injector plate as part of (the propellant cartridge case having aprotruding throat; and I FIG. 7 is a view taken along lines 7-7 of.FIG.,6, clearly illustrating'a filter screen that is juxtaposed betweenthe fixed injector plate and the propellant charge.

Referring now to FIG. 1, the spray device generally designatedas 10comprises atank l2 whichcontains a breech closure cap 26 which seats onsupport rim 27, the cap containing an ignition or firing mechanismgenerally designated as 32. Cap 26 closes off access opening 24 formedby base 27. The breech cap has a hinge 28 at one side and a latch,breech block retainer means 30 on the opposite side which locks acartridge case generally designated as 52 within the breech assembly 16prior to firing the cartridge.

Retainer means or latch 30 consists, for example, of a hinge 29, lever31, and detent catch 39 which forcibly snaps or locks cap 26 in placeover rim 27 prior to ignition of the device. An aperture 34 is locatednear the bottom of the plenum chamber housing 14. A conduit 35 leadsfrom the aperture 34 into a regulator valve 36. A conduit 37 exits fromthe regulator valve and enters the top surface of tank 12 through tankinlet means 38.

High pressure gas generated when the cartridge 50 is fired isaccumulated within volume of the high pressure gas plenum chamber 14.The gas under pressure enters conduit 35 leading into regulator valve36. The regulated gas then passes into conduit 37 through opening 38into ullage space 40 of tank 12. The regulated pressure acts upon theliquid contained within the tank 12, expelling the fluid from the tank.An overpressure safety vent 42 in surface 13 communicates within theullage space 40. Liquid is forced out of tank 12 through opening 44 intoconduit 46 and out through nozzle 47 when regulated gas pressuregenerated by the cartridge 50 is directed into the tank and a demandvalve 49 on the nozzle is opened.

Turning now to FIG. 2, the perspective view illustrates the variouscomponents within the liquid spray unit 10. It can be seen that theplenum chamber housing 14 is concentrically mounted within tank 12through top surface 13. Mounted in the top of the plenum housing isbreech assembly 16. Adjacent the top surface of the breech assembly isthe breech closure block 26 with the firing mechanism 32 mounted withinthe block or cap assembly. The hinge 28 and closure clasp 30 connectedto cap 26 are more clearly illustrated in this view. Conduits 35 leadingfrom the accumulator tank or plenum chamber 14 exit out of surface 13into regulator valve 36 and the conduit 37 exits from the regulatorvalve back into and through top surface 13, thereby communicating withthe ullage space between the liquid and the top of the tank. The safetyvent valve 42 acts to relieve any overpressures in tank 12. A liquidspray hose 46 with nozzle means 47 attached thereto can be seen leadingfrom the bottom of the tank 12.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a more detailed view illustrates the variouscomponents and their interrelationships. The plenum chamber housing 14provides a mount for the breech assembly 18 which is metallurgicallybonded or otherwise affixed to the top 17 of the accumulator plenumhousing 14. Breech block 26 is open to admit a cartridge 50. Thecartridge case 52 has affixed at its one end a flange 54 which fitswithin recess 55 in breech block base 27. A cartridge 50 is insertedthrough access opening 24 in the breech assembly. The cartridgecomprises a primer percussion cap 58 centrally located within end 57 ofthe cartridge case 52. Adjacent the percussion cap 58 is a boostercharge 60. Juxtaposed to the booster charge 60 is a solid propellantcharge 62 which extends down to the opposite end of the cartridge case52. At the base 63 of propellant charge 62 is a foam seal cap 66 whichis interposed between the base 63 and the injector assembly 22. Anaxially aligned aperture 64 traverses the center of the propellantcharge 62. The reasons for the aperture is to increase the burning rateby increasing the burning surface of the propellant upon ignition and topermit propellant gas to flow toward injector plate 22. A series ofapertures 23 are oriented axially with the cartridge case 52 to pass hotgas into annulus 15 within housing 14. A series of pins 25 areequidistantly spaced about the periphery of the injector 22, therebysecuring it to the end of breech assembly 18.

The firing mechanism generally desigriated as 32 comprises a pair ofvertically extending supports attached to breech closure block 26. Across-arm 82, pivotable at one end 83 by pivot pin 84 suspended betweensupports 80, is urged against a firing pin 33 at end 86. Spring 88maintains the cross-arm against one end of the firing pin. To actuatethe firing mechanism, the operator lifts end 86 by an extended tab 87and snaps the cross-arm against the firing pin 33. Suitable safetydevices (not shown) may be incorporated to prevent accidental firing ofa live cartridge within the breech.

When the firing mechanism 32 initiates firing pin 33, strikingpercussion cap 58, the resultant detonation ignites booster charge 60which, in turn, ignites the charge of propellant 62. The burningpropellant 62 quickly consumes the foam seal cap 66, thereby allowinghot gases to pass through apertures 23 of injector 22. The high pressuregas is accumulated within volume 15 of housing 14 and is directedthrough aperture 34 into conduit 35 and thence to regulator valve 36(FIG. 1). The regulated gas then is directed to the ullage space withinthe tank 12, as hereinabove described.

The cartridge case 52 may be comprised of several materials. Forexample, if the propellant within the car tridge 50 is consumed within100 milliseconds, a paraffin wax impregnated cardboard case similar to ashotgun shell case may be utilized; however, when slower burningpropellants are used, then a polyethylene or pellets comprised of boronwithpotas'sium nitrate as an oxidizer. The solid propellant charge 62,for example, is a mixture of butadiene/methylvinylpyridine 90/10 andammonium nitrate with a trace of magnesium 0x ide. There are a number ofsolid propellant charges that could be utilized. Any propellant chargeexhibiting, upon ignition, a low flame temperature, low water contentand clean-buming attributes would be desirable candidates for the mainingredient of the gas generators typified in this invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a view looking up into the base 20 of breech assembly18, illustrating the injector 22 and the gas injection apertures 23contained therein. It can be clearly seen that the pins 25 retain theinjector within the assembly 18. v

FIG. 5 is an alternative embodiment of the present invention wherein thecartridge 50 comprises a cartridge case 52 made of a polycarbonatematerial having a flange portion 54 which nests within recess 55 ofbreech block base 27. A crushable lip 56, made of the polycarbonatematerial, is formed on flange 54 to act as a gas-tight seal withinrecess 55 when breech block 26 is anchored to the base 27. The cartridgecase 52' differs from the previously described cartridge case 52 in thatat the base of the propellant charge 62, designated as 63, is located ametal plate 68 that is transverse to the axis of the propellant charge62 and coaxial with propellant interbore 64, having a gas injectionorifice 69 centrally located therein. The orifice 69 now forms theinjector throat which takes the place of the injector assembly 22indicated in FIGS. 1-3. The injector plate 68 is an integral part of thecartridge case 52' in that the base of the cartridge case is crimpedover the peripheral edge of the injector plate 68 at the end 70, therebyassuring that the injector forms a part of the cartridge case. Anenlarged opening 21 is located at the base 20' of breech housing 18 toclear the gas exiting from the cartridge case 52 through orifice 69 whenthe cartridge 50 is ignited.

The modified cartridge case eliminates the necessity for a separateinjector plate forming an integral part of the breech assembly 16. Theinjector plate being a part of the cartridge case therefore simplifiesthe sprayer assembly in that each cartridge case has it own injectorplate, thus eliminating any possibility of residue clogging the orifices23 in injector plate 22, as depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4. Since eachcartridge now has an integral injector assembly, the cartridge andinjector are discarded, thus a fresh cartridge with integral injector isinserted eachtime that the sprayer unit is recharged.

Still another embodiment is depicted in FIG. 6, whereby an injectorplate 74 is prefonned around orifice 78 so as to better direct the gasesout of the cartridge case. A fine mesh metallized screen 72, the meshsizebeing in the range of 10 to 100 microns, is juxtaposed between theinjector plate and the base 63 of the propellant charge 62. The screen72 serves to trap any charged particles generated by the burningpropellant so as to prevent the residue from entering the chamber spaceof plenum chamber 14, thus preventing any possibility of clogging theorifice 34 at the bottom of the chamber or other downstream orifices.

FIG. 7 is a view looking up into the screen 72 juxtaposed between thepropellant charge 62 andthe injector plate 76. The screen need notbefixed to the casing 52'. It may nest between the propellant charge andthe injector plate. The spent cartridge, containing the injector plateand the screen, is then discarded and replaced with a similar cartridgeprior to recharging of the sprayer device 10.

Each of the preceding embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, whilethey are somewhat more expensive, are more desirable than the firstembodiments described in FIGS. 1 through 4 in thatthere is less chancefor contamination of the overall system. The embodiment described inFIGS. 1 through 4 having the integral or fixed injector 22 may be proneto contamination caused by the charred residue from the solid propellantgrains after they are consumed. Proper propellant selection wouldminimize the problem. While the cartridge case is discarded, the residuefrom the case remains within the breech assembly 16 which includes theinjector holes 23. The charred residue must be flushed from the systemfrom time to time cartridge prevent damage to the device and to preventa possible catastrophic failure of the sprayer unit due to cloggedorifices, etc. The cartridges having the integral injector plates aremore reliable since each firing of the system would be through anon-contaminated injector orifice which is an integral part of thecartridge. The addition of a screen within the cartridge case is afurther assurance that the plenum chamber 15 within housing 14 remainsrelatively clean, thus insuring proper operation of the system.

We claim:

1. A gas generator device for pressurizing a liquidcontaining containercomprising;

a solid propellant charge capable of generating a source of highpressure gas upon ignition,

a breech means to contain said solid propellant charge,

a plenum chamber housing to contain said gas, said breech means being.mounted within said plenum chamber housing, and

a regulator means communicating with said housing and aliquid-containing container to provide a constant pressure to theinterior of said container.

2. A gas generator device for pressurizing a'container comprising; i

a plenum chamber housing,

a cartridge breech means extending into said housing, said breech meansforming an opening at a first end thereof, said breech means havingattached thereto a breech block to close off said opening, said breechblock being hinged on one side to said first end of said breech means,the breech block having a clasp mechanism on the other side of saidblockso as to latch onto a flange adjacent said first end of said breechmeans, thereby latching said breech block to said breech means, saidbreech means forming at its other end at least one aperture thatcommunicates withthe interior of said plenum chamber,

a cartridge case insertable through said first end of said cartridgebreech means, said cartridge case having a solidpropellant chargedisposed therein, the cartridge case having a firstendcontaining apercussion cap and .a second nozzle-containing end communicating withthe interior of said plenum chamber throughsaid othe'r end of saidcartridge breech means, and

a firing mechanism means adjacent said percussion cap for ignitingsaidpropellant charge when said cartridge case is enclosed within saidbreech means.

3. The invention as set forth in claim 2, wherein said breech blockfurther includes a firing mechanism suspended by at least one supportarmextending from said breech block, said mechanism comprising a tendingthrough said breech block at its other end, said arm being biased by aspring means against said firing pin.

plenum chamber through said other end of said cartridge breech means,and a firing mechanism means adjacent said percussion ca fori nitin saidro ellant char e when said cai' tridge case is en'clo ed within saidbreech 4. A solid propellant cartridge case insertable in a cartridgebreech mechanism comprising;

a cylindrical housing, said housing having at a first end a walltransverse to the axis of the cartridge case, the edges of said caseprotruding beyond the circumference of the cylinder forming a shoulder 8x d f t portion thereby, said shoulder having a raised lip fip gg ggevlce or pressunzmg a Con amer circumferentially positioned around theouter edge of said shoulder, said lip being deformable, aplenum chamberhousing a cartridge breech means extending into said houseffecting aseal for said breech mechanism when 10 said cartridge case isencapsulated within said breech,

primer cap means affixed to and centrally located within said end wall,

booster charge means adjacent said primer cap positioned between a solidpropellant charge, said solid propellant forming a central orificelongitudinally extending through the propellant within said housing,

metal nozzle plate transverse to the axis of said cylindrical housing,forming a central orifice therein, being juxtaposed to the end of saidpropellant charge, and

a retention means for retaining said booster charge,

said propellant charge and said nozzle plate within said cylindricalhousing, said retention means being an extension of said housing forminga second end thereof, said extension being crimped over the edge of saidnozzle plate, thereby completing the assembly of said cartridge case.

The invention as set forth in claim 4, wherein said nozzle plate isformed with a centrally located protrusion surrounding said opening insaid plate so as to ing, said breech means forming an opening at a firstend thereof, said breech means having attached thereto a breech block toclose off said opening, said breech means forming at its other end atleast one aperture that communicates with the interior of said plenumchamber, and

a cartridge case insertable through said first end of a firing mechanismmeans adjacent said percussion cap for igniting said propellant chargewhen said cartridge case is enclosed within said breech means.

more directly guide the exhaust gases out of said orifice when saidpropellant charge is ignited.

6. The invention as set forth in claim 4, further including a fine meshscreen between the end of said comprising;

a plenum chamber housing, a cartridge breech means extending into saidhous- 9. A gas generator device for pressurizing a container propellantcharge and said nozzle plate so as to control the amount of residueleaving said cartridge case after said propellant charge is ignited.

7. A gas generator device for pressurizing ,a container comprising:

a plenum chamber housing, a cartridge breech means extending into saidhousing said breech means forming an opening at a first end thereof,said breech means having attached thereto a breech block to close offsaid opening, said breech means forming at its other end at least oneaperture that communicates with the interior of said plenum chamber,

cartridge case insertable through said first end of said cartridgebreech means, said cartridge case having a solid propellant chargedisposed therein,

forming an integral part of said cartridge case, said nozzlecommunicating with the interior of said ing, said breech means formingan opening at a first end thereof, said breech means having attachedthereto a breech block to close off said opening, said breech meansforming at its other end at least one aperture that communicates withthe interior of said plenumchamber,

a cartridge case insertable through said first end of said cartridgebreech means, said cartridge case having a solid propellant chargedisposed therein, the cartridge case having a first end containing apercussion cap and a second nozzle-containing end communicating with theinterior of said plenum chamber through said other end of said cartridgebreech means,

a firing mechanism means adjacent said percussion cap for igniting saidpropellant charge when said the cartridge case having a first endcontaining a cartridgt: case is enclosed within Said breech percussioncap and a second nozzle-containing meansflnd end, said nozzle-containingend is a metal plate fine mesh Screen JuXtaRosed between F solidtransverse to the axis to said cartridge case, said P'PP charge and Saidnozzle-flonmmmg end, metal plate having an orifice formed thereby forsome" servmg to block the resldue directing exhaust gases therethrough,said plate propellant when Sam propellant charge nited.

1. A gas generator device for pressurizing a liquid-containing container comprising; a solid propellant charge capable of generating a source of high pressure gas upon ignition, a breech means to contain said solid propellant charge, a plenum chamber housing to contain said gas, said breech means being mounted within said plenum chamber housing, and a regulator means communicating with said housing and a liquidcontaining container to provide a constant pressure to the interior of said container.
 2. A gas generator device for pressurizing a container comprising; a plenum chamber housing, a cartridge breech means extending into said housing, said breech means forming an opening at a first end thereof, said breech means having attached thereto a breech block to close off said opening, said breech block being hinged on one side to said first end of said breech means, the breech block having a clasp mechanism on the other side of said block so as to latch onto a flange adjacent said first end of said breech means, thereby latching said breech block to said breech means, said breech means forming at its other end at least one aperture that communicates with the interior of said plenum chamber, a cartridge case insertable through said first end of said cartridge breech means, said cartridge case having a solid propellant charge disposed therein, the cartridge case having a first end containing a percussion cap and a second nozzle-containing end communicating with the interior of said plenum chamber through said other end of said cartridge breech means, and a firing mechanism means adjacent said percussion cAp for igniting said propellant charge when said cartridge case is enclosed within said breech means.
 3. The invention as set forth in claim 2, wherein said breech block further includes a firing mechanism suspended by at least one support arm extending from said breech block, said mechanism comprising a hammer arm swivelably hinged to said support at one end and juxtaposed to a centrally located firing pin extending through said breech block at its other end, said arm being biased by a spring means against said firing pin.
 4. A solid propellant cartridge case insertable in a cartridge breech mechanism comprising; a cylindrical housing, said housing having at a first end a wall transverse to the axis of the cartridge case, the edges of said case protruding beyond the circumference of the cylinder forming a shoulder portion thereby, said shoulder having a raised lip circumferentially positioned around the outer edge of said shoulder, said lip being deformable, effecting a seal for said breech mechanism when said cartridge case is encapsulated within said breech, a primer cap means affixed to and centrally located within said end wall, a booster charge means adjacent said primer cap positioned between a solid propellant charge, said solid propellant forming a central orifice longitudinally extending through the propellant within said housing, a metal nozzle plate transverse to the axis of said cylindrical housing, forming a central orifice therein, being juxtaposed to the end of said propellant charge, and a retention means for retaining said booster charge, said propellant charge and said nozzle plate within said cylindrical housing, said retention means being an extension of said housing forming a second end thereof, said extension being crimped over the edge of said nozzle plate, thereby completing the assembly of said cartridge case.
 5. The invention as set forth in claim 4, wherein said nozzle plate is formed with a centrally located protrusion surrounding said opening in said plate so as to more directly guide the exhaust gases out of said orifice when said propellant charge is ignited.
 6. The invention as set forth in claim 4, further including a fine mesh screen between the end of said propellant charge and said nozzle plate so as to control the amount of residue leaving said cartridge case after said propellant charge is ignited.
 7. A gas generator device for pressurizing a container comprising:: a plenum chamber housing, a cartridge breech means extending into said housing said breech means forming an opening at a first end thereof, said breech means having attached thereto a breech block to close off said opening, said breech means forming at its other end at least one aperture that communicates with the interior of said plenum chamber, a cartridge case insertable through said first end of said cartridge breech means, said cartridge case having a solid propellant charge disposed therein, the cartridge case having a first end containing a percussion cap and a second nozzle-containing end, said nozzle-containing end is a metal plate transverse to the axis to said cartridge case, said metal plate having an orifice formed thereby for directing exhaust gases therethrough, said plate forming an integral part of said cartridge case, said nozzle communicating with the interior of said plenum chamber through said other end of said cartridge breech means, and a firing mechanism means adjacent said percussion cap for igniting said propellant charge when said cartridge case is enclosed within said breech means.
 8. A gas generator device for pressurizing a container comprising; a plenum chamber housing, a cartridge breech means extending into said housing, said breech means forming an opening at a first end thereof, said breech means having attached thereto a breech block to close off said opening, said breech means forming at its other end at least one aperture that communicates with the inteRior of said plenum chamber, and a cartridge case insertable through said first end of said cartridge breech means, said cartridge case having a solid propellant charge disposed therein, the cartridge case having a first end containing a percussion cap and a second nozzle-containing end, said nozzle-containing end includes a metal plate transverse to the axis of said cartridge case, said metal plate having a protruding center portion forming an orifice thereby for directing exhaust gases therethrough, said plate forming an integral part of said cartridge case, said nozzle communicating with the interior of said plenum chamber through said other end of said cartridge breech means, and a firing mechanism means adjacent said percussion cap for igniting said propellant charge when said cartridge case is enclosed within said breech means.
 9. A gas generator device for pressurizing a container comprising; a plenum chamber housing, a cartridge breech means extending into said housing, said breech means forming an opening at a first end thereof, said breech means having attached thereto a breech block to close off said opening, said breech means forming at its other end at least one aperture that communicates with the interior of said plenum chamber, a cartridge case insertable through said first end of said cartridge breech means, said cartridge case having a solid propellant charge disposed therein, the cartridge case having a first end containing a percussion cap and a second nozzle-containing end communicating with the interior of said plenum chamber through said other end of said cartridge breech means, a firing mechanism means adjacent said percussion cap for igniting said propellant charge when said cartridge case is enclosed within said breech means, and a fine mesh screen juxtaposed between said solid propellant charge and said nozzle-containing end, said screen serving to block the residue from burning propellant when said propellant charge is ignited. 